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laukku-2.jpg

"Sur sur" says my sewing machine

October 22, 2008

We had some autumn sunshine today and it made everything look so beautiful. Even the people walking on the streets looked happier than usual. Maybe they were happier. I think I like autumn after all. Yesterday it rained all day and I stayed home. Sewing almost all day.


I made my own version of the bag on the cover of this great book. I cut up an old wool skirt that was probably used by my mother several decades ago (she's not really really old, but several decades anyway) and eaten a little by a moth or two some time later. Of course this skirt was saved "for crafty purposes" and I'm glad it was. I lined the bag with some Japanese goodness and used the same fabric for the handles too. Now I have a pretty bag that I don't really need since I have more than enough bags and I use one or two, but I had a vision in a dream so I had to make it. Besides, recycling is good. Maybe the bag will be put to use some day. Or maybe someone will get a gift.


I've been sewing a lot lately: pouches, pencil cases and a bag. Once the sewing machine is on my work desk it's best to make the most of it. The project that made me clear my desk for sewing purposes was a baby quilt for the little girl who became my DH's goddaughter last Saturday. I know light blue and dark brown aren't girly colors, but I know I can't be the only person on earth having issues with color coded babies. Instead of girly colors the baby got some beautiful colors. A quilt and a tiny flock of three birds (one more bird was sewn by DH but I accidentally left it out of the photo). I think we'll end up sewing these birds for all the babies that come out of our friends.

I've got a book waiting to be cased in so I can't stay up all night chatting with you. I'm off to Helsinki (and thereabouts) for the weekend and early next week but I'll do my best with taking photos of a book or two before leaving.

In everything else Tags bag, quilting, sewing
← Sunny journalNew colors (and old ones too) →

Welcome to Paperiaarre!

Kaija Rantakari / Paperiaarre in her Helsinki based studio

Hello, my name is Kaija. I'm a master bookbinder / mixed media artist / accumulator extraordinaire / poet from Finland. This website is where I share my creations to fellow paper enthusiasts.

Paperiaarre is Finnish for a paper treasure, and I hope you find many of those here!

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Hello you, just a quick note that I'm spending May in Edinburgh at a writing recidency, so the Paperiaarre shop will be closed from April 30th. Any orders placed by Wednesday afternoon will be shipped as usual ❤️❤️❤️
Another great day for this bookbinder! Thank you all for your many orders - they really make my day every time ❤️
This golden floral kimono silk is one of my all time favourites. I love how beautifully light plays with the weave even on a cloudy day like today.

This notebook with semi-flexible covers is one of the five still left of yesterday's shop update. All
New books in the Paperiaarre shop! Four hardcover notebooks with heavier weight paper, and ten notebooks bound with the sewn boards binding style that results in semi-flexible covers. All made with repurposed vintage kimono silk.
On my to-do list is to add this stack of vintage kimono notebooks to my shop. Some time next week, I hope!

I made these using the sewn boards binding structure that creates lovely semi-flexible covers.
Wrapping a lovely order today 🤍🤍🤍

We've now made it through the darkest moments of winter, so maybe soon I will finally get to my stack of journals waiting to be photographed. Read: New books coming soon-ish!
New blog post and new books now available in the Paperiaarre shop at www.paperiaarre.com. There's postcard-sized watercolor journals perfect for travel journal use, too, and a small lot of the popular adorably tiny notebooks. All covered with repurpo
Watercolor journals and mini kimono journals for sale through my IG stories for the next 24h. Any remaining books will be available at paperiaarre.com in a few days 🤍🤍🤍
Every now and then I get requests for notebooks suitable for watercolors, and even though I don't do custom orders in the traditional sense, every now and then I hear your requests! This lot of six lovely A6 landscape format watercolor journals will
[Edit: We raised a total of 630 €! Thank you so much for your participation and support! A winner was picked at random in my stories ❤️]

Time for a fundraiser!

I'm raffling off this handbound vintage kimono journal to raise money for Doctors W

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